SOUR

'Nothing's forever,'

milli.

I know I'm awake, but I refuse to open my eyes. Something about the world has just seemed so dull lately. Going out and getting fresh air doesn't feel any different than being inside. I don't feel like myself, and that might be one of the scariest feelings.

I hear the sound of a metal lighter flicking on. I sit up at the noise, but Sunwoo is sitting at his desk. He seems to be watching a game being played but he's not participating, he's flicking his lighter on and off with one hand.

"What's wrong?" I ask him, because usually he likes to play games.

Sunwoo turns around in his chair to face me. "You're up. I was worried you'd sleep forever."

I shake my head.

"Ready to go?" He asks.

I nod, because I really am ready to leave this place. Every corner I turn I feel like I'll run into someone who knows what's happening. Unlike before I don't feel like talking with anyone, explaining to everyone what happened. What if they don't believe me? What if they all pity me, just like in high school?

"Do you have a hat? Or something I can wear on my way out," I ask and I force myself to get out of his bed.

Sunwoo sticks his lighter in his pocket and walks over to his closet. He hands me one of his black sweatshirts with some logo on the chest and a black hat.

There's a ghost of a smile on his face when he sees how large the jacket is on me, and he straightens the hat on my head and pats it.

"You look like a celebrity." He says.

"Really?" I say.

"Mhm. Trying not to get recognized?" He asks.

"Yeah," I say and then I shrug. "I don't know, I just don't want people to ask why I'm leaving. It seems out of character for me since I'm technically suspended."

"It anyone asks I'll pull some karate moves on them." Sunwoo answers and grabs the handle of my suitcase.

"I can carry it," I say.

He grabs a large duffle bag by the door and slings it over his shoulder.

"What's that for?" I ask, and he opens the door when I try to grab my suitcase from him.

"For me."

"Why?" I ask skeptically.

"Because I'm going with you."

"Sunwoo you can't. You can't skip all your classes just for me."

"But they want me to leave." He finds his phone and shows me an email.

"WHAT???" I yelp when I see that he's been suspended for 10 days as well. "But why??"

He shrugs. "I guess Mr Young didn't appreciate my art for him on his projector."

"Sunwoo you didn't."

He flashes a rare smile. "I did."

"Why would you do that?" I ask him seriously.

His smile fades. "Are you mad?" He asks.

"No I'm.... I just, you didn't need to do that." I say, though I am a little upset he would go to that length like it's no big deal.

"I meant it when I said I'd never leave you." Sunwoo says. "You're not going through this alone, and that's final." His voice is firm.

"Fine," I give in because there's no other choice. What's done is done and I don't feel like fighting him on this. "At least give me my bag. You can't carry both."